Lost State of Franklin

By: Jay Minkin
Date: 05/21/2009
Like some of you, my spare time is now scheduled around the next NBA playoff game. I can’t make plans to see a show or much of anything else unless I know for sure the Cavaliers will NOT be playing that night.

Recently, I made an executive decision to exit a Playhouse Square performance that wasn’t holding my attention at intermission. I set my navigator to West 25th in search of a bar stool at a local brewery to watch King James and company. If you asked me if it was worth it, I would just recite LeBron James’s line score of 47/12/8. The only thing this team is missing is an updated theme song like, “C’mon CAV’s, gotta make it happen,” or Michael Stanley’s “Hard working town, hard working team,” from the Coliseum in Richfield days.      

  Living large in downtown Cleveland now has its advantages when you’re riding shotgun with a hound dog like me. After the game’s final horn, we walked down the block to the Garage Bar to see the band The Lost State of Franklin. Their name comes from a footnote in American history for what is now the upper east region of Tennessee that during the 1780’s originally was called the State of Franklin. 

The band brings a Nashville sound to our area with original songs while also covering the greats like Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline, and Hank Williams.

 The band’s core is comprised of J. Scott Franklin on lead vocals, rhythm guitar and trumpet, along with the darling Tyler Postma on vocals, drums, washboard and harmonica. This duo is joined by an array of area musicians on any given night, including Robert Muzick, David Mooser, Sugar, Al Moss, and Michael Ray to play stand-up bass, guitars, and other accompaniments. 

So mark your calendars to try and catch Lost State of Franklin play at Garage Bar—1859 W.25th St.—on June 6; the Bedford Strawberry Festival on June 12; The Barking Spider Tavern—11310 Juniper Rd.—July 10; and Cain Park on July 11.  For more concert listings and song samplings, visit www.loststateoffranklin.com or www.myspace.com/loststateoffranklin.

Reach Jay at blues4bird@aol.com

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